Fat. Beautiful. Tasty. Ravenous.

Interlude: Fat Gum POV 6

I'm milling about, accepting congratulations and offering a few of my own to those who've risen in rank. Aiko is back at our seats, complaining that her feet are too sore to walk around much more. Suneater's run off somewhere, probably trying to avoid another conflict between Bombshell and Lemillion.

The way they bickered over him was surprising. I had always suspected Suneater was the one with feelings for Lemillion with the way he always spoke about him so admiringly. Now to find out it's been the other way around this whole time has really thrown me for a loop. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it.

I feel a light tap at my elbow and turn to find Mirko at my side.

"Hi there, buns," I greet with my favorite nickname for her. Though, I think Hawks uses it sometimes too. Those two seem to get along well.

"Congrats on rank 40!" she grins up at me, her face always full of mischief even when she's not up to something. It's hard to tell when she is or isn't most of the time.

"Well it's no third but thanks," I smile back at her with appreciation, "I don't really know how it happened, though. I thought I'd drop in rank after everything."

Mirko's face softens, understanding crossing her features. "Your rank is based on the heroic things you've done plus public approval. You risked your life for someone you love. The fact that your relationship with her was unconfirmed until tonight drew even more interest toward you. You impressed a lot of heroes too. And the way she looks at you... it would make anyone jealous. You have something special, Fat. You deserve everything good that's come your way."

Pride blooms in my chest. If Mirko thinks that, it has to be true. She's nothing if not blunt, sometimes painfully so.

She and I never really had anything very emotionally deep, more like friends with benefits and colleagues with a healthy respect for each other. Being with Aiko has made it all the more obvious that what I had with Mirko was never- and never would've been- serious.

"Thanks, Mirko." I give her a big bear hug and she pats me on the belly, "You know, Aiko was rather taken with you."

Backing up from the hug, she quirks a brow at me. "Oh? Really now? And what are your thoughts on that?"

I can't hide my scheming smile as I look down at my sweet bunny friend. I don't know Aiko's history with being with more than one person at a time and I definitely wouldn't want to risk someone else getting hurt before she's figured out how to control her quirk. But maybe after...

"I have... some ideas..."

--

Black inky creatures tower over me as I lay on a concrete floor. It's no longer necessary for them to even keep me tied up. I can't move anyway. I'm too weak; starved and broken.

Just the thought of her face- the way her pastel eyes shined at me right before she kissed me, the way she looked like she might cry when I told her I had more to tell her- is the thing that keeps me pushing forward day to day.

"Why would she pick him over me?" A half-mad voice rages, the man's back still turned to me.

I can hardly remember who it is anymore or why he hates me so much. I just have to get back to her. I have to tell her how sorry I am.

"You ruined everything! I'm trying to keep her safe and she hates me! Because of you!"

He begins to turn toward me, something long and slender in his hand, like the handle of a mop.

A jarring ringing pierces my ears and I'm almost instantly awake, already aware it's pretty late in the day just by the way the sun shines in my window.